Dingwall and Seaforth Ward 9
Action Notes - 26th June 2007

• Agenda

Present: Councillors David Chisholm (Chair), Angela MacLean, Margaret Paterson, Muir of Ord Community Council, Tom David, Maryburgh Community Council, martin Slater, Dingwall Community Council, Nigel Greenwood, Superintendent John Darcy, Northern Constabulary, Chief Inspector Paul Eddington, Northern Constabulary, Inspector Pamela Ross, Northern Constabulary, Bob Cameron, Corporate Manager, Ross, Skye and Lochaber, Liz Cowie, Ward Manager, Dingwall and Seaforth.

Apologies:  Councillor Peter Cairns.

1.  The National Standards for Community Engagement were Adopted.

2.  Background on the Ward Forum concept was given and the importance of focussing on issues of strategic importance for Ward communities outlined. It was clarified that the Ward Forum did not have decision making powers but could influence the decision making process.  It was therefore agreed that the Ward Forum would:

i. Act as a forum for people within the Ward to raise any issue of significance.
ii. Resolve issues or refer them to the appropriate agency for resolution.
iii. Scrutinise local Council delivery and performance, including related
        budgetary information and scrutiny of the Ward discretionary budget.
iv. Act as a consultative forum where issue are referred from Highland Council
 or other public bodies.
v. Engage with the Ward communities to help make choices on local service  
       delivery (where appropriate).
vi. Promote and encourage all aspects of community Safety in close collaboration
 with Northern Constabulary.
vii. Update and maintain information on the Ward Profile. /yourcouncil/yourward/ward09/
viii. Seek to rationalise the various community consultations taking place at Ward level.
ix. Enable Elected Members to reflect local concerns about service delivery and policy at strategic Council committees.

3.  Ward Issues.  The following key areas were identified for future discussion at the Ward Forum.  It was also agreed to ‘theme’ meetings where possible.

• Transport - including integrated transport issues, rail and railway crossing issues, Muir of Ord railway bridge replacement, roads and road condition.
• Flooding – including future flood prevention schemes and proposals.
• Planning – including Strategic Planning and Local Plans.
• Community Safety – including CCTV, vandalism issues, anti-social behaviour, litter, road safety.
• Green spaces and open spaces – including play equipment and open space assessment.
• Buildings Condition – including both council and private buildings.
• Education – including school issues from pre-school to high school.
• Young People – including youth facilities, youth care, parental support.
• Care in Community – including Care home replacement, support for the elderly.
• Parking – including public and domestic parking in housing estates.
• Business Development – including generating employment in the Ward.
• Positive Achievements – it was agreed that positive achievement in the Ward should be recognised and encouraged.
• Housing – including housing development, social housing, affordable housing, homelessness.
• Recycling – including achieving set targets for recycling.
• Community Council aspirations for their represented communities.

4. Ward Forum Structure. 

• It was agreed that meetings would be held every 6 weeks until the end of the year and reviewed for frequency thereafter.  
• It was agreed that items and questions should be lodged with the Ward Manager two weeks prior to the date of meeting.  
• It was agreed that the meetings would be held in the evening in the Council offices in Dingwall with occasional afternoon meetings to be agreed to encourage youth participation and to broaden public participation opportunities.  
• It was agreed that the core Ward Forum membership would consist of Community Council Chairs (or their nominated representative), the elected Members for the Ward, Northern Constabulary and potentially Youth and Health.  It was also agreed that membership would be subject to constant review and that as appropriate, Highland Council Officials and representatives from the business, voluntary and statutory sectors would be invited to attend for specific subject discussion. 
• It was agreed that an Action Sheet would be produced by the Ward Manager and that this would be posted on the Ward Profile on the Highland Council web page along with dates of future meetings and any other relevant information

5. Date of the next Ward Forum was set for Tuesday 7th August at 7.30 pm with the key theme being Transport.